Showing posts with label final assembly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label final assembly. Show all posts

Sunday, July 03, 2011

Found some more nut plates and added them to the trim servo access hatch.

Made a fork and then riveted in a small bracket to help keep the fire extinguisher from coming loose.

Drilled and deburred wing root covers to final A4 size.

Neutralized and set flaperon controls. Re-set aileron bump stops. Setting the ailerons is tricky, made worse when alone. First it is hard to determine the true up-right neutral position of the stick. Then you have to verify the lower torque tube bellcrank is in alignment ( not that much could be done about it now... ).

Finally it is a long slow process of measuring reference lines from the wing for gap distance. One trick I realized was to measure the angle between the rivet line for the push rod covers against the extrusion the connects the flaperon to the pushrod.

Luckily I had left the inboard pushrods coming from the torque tube long. This gave me more choices on setting the amount of reflex or deployment for a flaps up position.

The pushrods and jam-nuts are not flight ready.

The aileron bump stops are not the best designed items. Their placement is some what arbitrary and can be hard to align properly.

Using the darkness I verified the landing lights are aimed correctly.

On Tuesday the final securing of wires will be done. The steering push-rods will also get set.

Punch List:
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
Shorten steering pushrods, install plates to lengthen rudder cable.
Fuel flow test
Final securing of wires aft of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire ( flaperon pushrods & steering pushrods )
Safety wire turnbuckles on rudder cables.

Install wing root fairings ( post inspection )

fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )
VGs on elevator ( after initial test flights )

Friday, July 01, 2011

Made a first attempt at transponder inspection. Bits were being adding on the discrete code while in the plane, but not on a bench. Not cause has been identified yet.

Added reinforcements to the radio stack. Tightened and flight readied all nut plates related to the radio stack.

Adjusted aim of landing lights.

Installed nutplates and cover for elevator trim motor.

Punch List:
Fabricate wire bundle supports for rear cargo area.
Have transponder tested by avionics shop
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Shorten steering pushrods, instal plates to lengthen rudder cable.
Final securing of wires aft of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )

Monday, June 27, 2011

Had a project visit and identified a few more minor changes.

Lost the elevator trim servo cover ( held on by clecos ) during a runup test.

Torqued more bolts to final, riveted flaperon covers into place. Touched up primer on a few steel parts.

Fixed tachometer reading on Dynon. Tied down more wire bundles.

Punch List:
Fabricate wire bundle supports for rear cargo area.
Fabricate new elevator servo cover.
Have transponder tested by avionics shop
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Shorten steering pushrods, instal plates to lengthen rudder cable.
Final securing of wires aft of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Tensioned elevator. Re-adjusted slack bungee, added nylon blocks where elevator cables could rub. Safety wired elevator turnbuckles. Removed elevator and adjusted bolts, installed & castelated elevator bolts.

Finalized rudder bolts.

Bolted battery into position.

Installed dataplate.

Greased all bushings, control bolts.

Aimed landing lights.

Punch List:
Tighten passenger door ( opened during run-up )
Have transponder tested by avionics shop
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Shorten steering pushrods, instal plates to lengthen rudder cable.
Final securing of wires after of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )
Correct tach reading on Dynon, reconnect hobbs meter.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Did a bolt\torque check. Identified all untighted and overtorqued bolts. Replaced all severly overtorque bolts. 95% of all exterior bolts now flight ready. Almost all cotter pins installed, all others marked. Removed the dorsal fin. trimmed the top fuselage skin at the elevator cable exit and moved the reinforcement bulkhead forward to account for the bungee tension.

Ordered some nylon to mitigate rubbing of the elevator cable on the baggage compartment.

Gave the EAB plaque to the engraver. Worked on procedures and manual.

Took an initial weight measurement of 621 pounds.

Punch List:
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
W&B
Final placement of battery ( pending W&B )
Install EAB plaque
Fuel Filler Marking for 10G 92MoGas\100LL w/TCP
Post registration in cabin
bleed brake lines
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Fuel tank calibration
Final securing of wires after of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
Torque seal push rod jam nuts.
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )
Install steering boots
Install nylon strip in service hatch to protect against elevator cable rub

Wednesday, June 08, 2011



Finished transition training. Adjusted elevator tension bungee. Trimmed wingroot covers, ready for rivetting once fuel system is fully tested. Installed fire extinguisher. Added extra nutplates for cowling. Epoxied NACA inlet adapter for oilcooler. Fitted washers for bellcranks. Created steering boots.

Trimmed, primed and installed dorsal fins. Bunch of small stuff.

Punch List:
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
W&B
Final placement of battery ( pending W&B )
Engrave & install EAB plaque
Fuel Filler Marking for 10G 92MoGas\100LL w/TCP
Post registration in cabin
bleed brake lines
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Fuel tank calibration
Final securing of wires after of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
Torque seal push rod jam nuts.
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )
Install steering boots
Install nylon strip in service hatch to protect against elevator cable rub

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Fabricated a replacement bellcrank spacer and installed it. Fabricated replacement jury strut. Disassembled flaperons and primed them. Riveted flaperon root pins. Greased flaperon bearings and reinstalled flaperons. Cleaned up wing root skins and ready them for final trim. Installed a stiffener underneath the dashboard trim, partially pulled the panel lights and re-installed them so to not tension the dashboard again.

Punch List:

Got a ton of stuff done this weekend:

Fabricated and installed the oil door, installed a few cotter pins, removed the elevator trim and modified the hinge to accept safety wire, installed the elevator tensioning bungee, re-installed the doors, fabricated access panels into the seat pans, installed the access panels and re-installed the seat pans.

Punch List:
FINISH TRANSITION TRAINING
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
install wingroot covers.
W&B
Final placement of battery ( pending W&B )
Engrave & install EAB plaque
Fuel Filler Marking for 10G 92MoGas\100LL w/TCP
Post registration in cabin
mark "EXPERIMENTAL" on entry way
bleed brake lines
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Fuel tank calibration
Final securing of wires after of seats in luggage
install first-aid kit and fire extinguisher
Washers for aileron bellcranks
Nose gear pushrod boots
Install dorsal fin
Two additional cowl fasteners
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
Torque seal push rod jam nuts.
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )
finish priming bare surfaces.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Got a ton of stuff done this weekend:

Fabricated and installed the oil door, installed a few cotter pins, removed the elevator trim and modified the hinge to accept safety wire, installed the elevator tensioning bungee, re-installed the doors, fabricated access panels into the seat pans, installed the access panels and re-installed the seat pans.

Punch List:
FINISH TRANSITION TRAINING
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
install wingroot covers.
W&B
Final placement of battery ( pending W&B )
Engrave & install EAB plaque
bleed brake lines
VGs on elevator
Adjust control tension
nuetralize aileron rods & control
N-Number on panel
Fuel tank calibration
Re-fab spacer on passenger side aileron bellcrank
Re-fab diagonal pass side jury strut
Final securing of wires after of seats in luggage
install first-aid kit and fire extinguisher
Washers for aileron bellcranks
Grease on bellcranks
Nose gear pushrod boots
Install dorsal fin
Two additional cowl fasteners
More cotter pins & safety wire
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers.
finish priming bare surfaces.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

The weekend was somewhat frozen and short on time at the hangar. The aileron stops are installed. I adjusted the flaperon and aileron pushrods to what may be a nuetral position, testing will tell for sure.

I fabricated the flaperon bungee rention system, but am having problems reaching underneath the seat to install the bungee cord.

The new landing gear leaf is in. Hopefully it and the brake lines can be installed in a few weeks. Following that only the jury struts and dorsal fin will remain for installation.

Monday, January 31, 2011



Starting to apply finishing touches.

I uninstalled all the controls, cleaned and painted them. I cleaned out the cabin, vacuumed it and blew it out with air. Once that was done painting started.

The control stick was ground down for extra clearance .

Sound deadening material will be cut to be floor mats.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Thanks to a team of really great friends, the project is now in at an airport.

I have worked up a punch list of the stuff that needs to be done before the first flight, but engine start should be before the end of March.


  • Finalize access hatch

  • Replace bad rivets

  • Finish securing wires

  • Buy Oddessy battery

  • Run battery cables

  • Ammeter shunt

  • Battery charging

  • Starter

  • Mags

  • safety wire

  • cotter pins

  • More AN3-4As

  • Brake lines/line clips

  • Rudder pedals

  • Attach wings

  • Elevator bungee

  • Elevator cables

  • Rudder cables

  • Paint

  • Seal windshield, sunroof

  • Attach slats

  • Attach flaperons

  • Slat push rod covers

  • Trim doors

  • Fill door tubes

  • Upholstry

  • Sound deading material

  • Fuel lines/firesleeving

  • Carb heat kit

  • Strobe/position final run

  • Pitot/AOA tube

  • Rivet wingtips

  • Wing root covers

  • Vinyl decals

  • Data plate

  • Install elevator trim motor to elevator